Friday, January 2, 2026

Iran News

Iran Front Page offers a handpicked set of the latest news and views from Iran and the Middle East

Iran, China: Unilateral U.S. sanctions illegal

Iran and China have stressed that unilateral American sanctions against Tehran are illegal.

South Korea ‘face mask donation’ triggers public backlash in Iran

South Korea's recent donation of 2,000 face masks to a hospital in Tehran has triggered controversy as the country refuses to release several billion dollars of Iranian oil money in line with anti-Iran U.S. sanctions.

Erdogan: US should not support terror groups

Turkish President President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on the United States not ‘to support terrorist organizations’.

Russia: US likely to establish bases near Afghanistan

The United States may continue attempts to deploy its military infrastructure on the soil of Afghanistan neighbors, Russia warns.

Number of Covid-19 shots surpasses 88mn in Iran

The number of Covid-19 shots administered in Iran has surpassed 88 million as the Islamic Republic races to avert a sixth wave of the deadly disease.

Report: Afghan soldiers and spies joining Daesh

A growing number of US-trained Afghan soldiers and intelligence officials are joining the Daesh ranks to fight the Taliban, according to a report. The new rulers of Afghanistan have long accused Washington of funding the terror group.

Ex-UK envoy blames US for existing problems over JCPOA

Washington should be held accountable for the existing problems over the Iran nuclear deal because US President Joe Biden could return to the agreement to avoid the current dilemma, a former British diplomat believes.

Israel kicks off mass drills to simulate war with Hezbollah

The Israeli military launched massive war games on Sunday. The week-long exercise is expected to simulate a full-scale war with Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement.

FM: Lebanon, Saudi crisis not to be resolved through negotiation

The recent diplomatic crisis between Beirut and Riyadh cannot be resolved through negotiations, Lebanon's top diplomat says. The row began after a Lebanese minister stated Saudi Arabia-led war on Yemen was an act of aggression.

Iran announces huge rise in exports from Chabahar Port

Iran’s Customs Office says the country’s exports from the southern port city of Chabahar increased nearly 100% since March 21, 2021 compared with the same period in 2019.

Iran seeks resumption of oil sales to India

Iran’s ambassador to India says Tehran expects New Delhi to resume oil purchases from Iran. He added Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian plans to visit India later this month.

Iran says expects actions from Washington on JCPOA, words are enough

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman has said Tehran has had enough of words from the US regarding the Iran nuclear deal and it’s waiting for action from Washington.

Iran’s Navy foils pirate attack near Bab al-Mandab

An Iranian Navy fleet has clashed with pirates trying to attack an oil tanker belonging to the Islamic Republic of Iran en route to the Gulf of Aden and before entering Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Hezbollah official: MbS lives in “dilemma and anxiety”

A high-ranking Hezbollah official has stated Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) lives in a state of “dilemma and anxiety” and will have to face a great situation after the fall of Yemen’s Ma’rib.

Blinken says diplomacy ‘best path forward’ on Iran nuclear deal

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated the United States believe diplomacy is the best path forward to resolve the Iran’s nuclear issue.

Biden says US suffering from Trump’s withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal

US President Joe Biden has stated the United States is "continuing to suffer" from former President Donald Trump's decision to pull Washington out of the Iran nuclear deal.

Iran produces copper nanoparticle mask

A science-based Iranian company has produced anti-virus masks using copper nanoparticles.

World champion Yazdani wrestles with mentally disabled boy

Iranian world wrestling champion Hassan Yazdani has visited a mental care home in the city of Mashhad where he symbolically wrestled with a disabled boy residing there.

Russia: Moscow accepts no change to JCPOA

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow is opposed to any change in the Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA.

Russia underscores returning to JCPOA in original form

Russia says it fully supports Iran, favoring the return of the signatories to the nuclear deal ‘in its original form.’

Report: Hamas test-fires new missiles

The Hamas resistance movement has reportedly test-fired new missiles from the besieged Gaza Strip as part of its efforts to increase its combat readiness.

More than 52mn so far vaccinated against Covid in Iran

The nationwide vaccination campaign in Iran is continuing at a rapid pace. So far 52,615,937 people have got the first dose of the vaccine and 34,482,617 have received the second dose.

Biden concerned over Turkey’s possession of Russian S-400

US president Joe Biden has "reaffirmed" Washington's defense partnership with Ankara, and Turkey's "importance as a NATO ally", but also voiced "US concerns over Ankara's possession of the Russian S-400 missile system".

‘Preliminary agreements reached between Iran and Saudi Arabia’

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh has announced Tehran and Riyadh have reached preliminary agreements on some issues after four rounds of negotiations. He added the two countries have yet to wait for finalizing the talks.

Iran FM: We have doubts about Americans’ true intentions

Iran’s diplomacy chief says the Biden administration has not taken any step to lift US sanctions against Tehran and just pretends to be pursuing an anti-Trump approach, adding “We have mistrust in the other side.”